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| For Students » Prospective Students | |||
For Prospective Students |
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We have collected answers to a variety of questions prospective students tend to ask us. If you have any other questions, or have suggestions concerning what questions you would like to see on our web site, please drop us a line at phil@calpoly.edu. You may also wish
to request information about Cal Poly What is Philosophy?Historically, philosophy has often been described as the intellectual pursuit of wisdom. Defining philosophy is a subtle matter, as philosophers tend to define philosophy in a variety of different ways depending on their own philosophical views. For example, for a philosopher such as Plato, the pursuit of wisdom involves a focused intellectual quest for absolute truths. However, philosophers who do not believe that there are absolute truths, or who regard such a quest as misguided, would define philosophy differently. Start Reading Philosophy Now - A list of suggested books from our faculty …
What is Philosophy as an academic discipline for undergraduates?The study of philosophy consists of the rigorous and scholarly analysis of complex and subtle philosophical books, essays, and other writings by both historical and contemporary philosophers. As an academic discipline, philosophy also involves developing and presenting one's own philosophical views orally but especially in writing. Thus, philosophy students tend to become careful readers and strong analytical writers.
What do Philosophy Majors go on to do in the workplace?Because the study of philosophy requires the careful reading of complex texts and strong analytical communication skills, philosophy majors are valued by employers in business, government, and non-profit organizations. Some of our students have discovered that combining a philosophy major with a major in another discipline makes them very attractive job candidates and gives them many employment opportunities. Some of our students complete a “double-major” by combining a philosophy major with majors in disciplines as diverse as physics, biology, political science, and civil engineering.
How does a BA in Philosophy prepare students for future study?In general, philosophy majors are well-prepared for entrance into graduate school in philosophy or law school. With some additional course work or experience in the relevant field, philosophy majors are also very desirable candidates in a variety of Master's programs in the humanities and in Master's programs in other disciplines such as business. Evidence of how well a philosophy major prepares students for future study comes from scores on standardized tests such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). A recent study shows that in 1998 philosophy majors earned the second highest LSAT scores, just behind physics and math majors (whose scores were grouped together) [1]. Recent scores on the GRE compiled by major show that in 2001-2004 philosophy majors ranked first in two of the three categories on that test, namely, verbal reasoning and analytical writing. Philosophy majors also ranked highest compared to majors in all other disciplines in the humanities in the quantitative reasoning portion of the GRE [2].
How do graduates of the philosophy major at Cal Poly continue their academic careers?Graduates of the philosophy major at Cal Poly typically continue their academic careers by seeking admission to either graduate school or law school. Our graduates have been admitted to M.A. and Ph.D. programs in philosophy, and M.A. programs in other areas of the humanities (such as Masters in Art Administration). Our graduates have also been admitted to law school. Some of our PHIL majors who have a major in another discipline have either completed or are currently seeking admission to other Master's programs, such as Masters of Computer Science, Masters of Physics, and Masters of Civic Planning.
What do Philosophy students learn in Philosophy Courses?Philosophy courses give students the opportunity to learn how philosophers have tried to address perennial philosophical questions or narrowly defined questions within a specialized branch of philosophy. Students also learn how to analyze critically the views of other philosophers and how to develop and deepen their own philosophical views. Courses offered by the Philosophy Department at Cal Poly tend to fall into one of two categories: (I) History of Philosophy and (II) Contemporary Problems of Philosophy. I. History of PhilosophyIn courses within the broad area of History of Philosophy, philosophy students first learn how influential works in the history of philosophy have been interpreted by subsequent philosophers. Typically, these courses focus on a specific period in the history of philosophy. At a more advanced level, students learn to develop and to present their own interpretations of philosophical writings by first examining scholarly journal articles and books in the history of philosophy. Most of our courses are in the history of Western philosophy, though we do offer a course on Asian philosophy. II. Contemporary Problems of PhilosophyIn courses within the broad area of Contemporary Problems of Philosophy, philosophy students first learn the philosophical reasons behind a variety of different contemporary answers to a wide range of philosophical questions. The philosophical questions one studies in these courses tend to fall into one of three categories:
At a more advanced level, students learn to develop and to present their own reasons for supporting a particular answer to a philosophical question typically in response to answers proposed by professional philosophers in scholarly articles and books.
Feedback RequestIf you did not find what you were looking for, or have suggestions on how to improve our student pages, please drop us a line at phil@calpoly.edu |
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